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Deputy Concerned For Surviving Exotic Animals

Deputy Concerned For Surviving Exotic Animals

Deputy Concerned For Surviving Exotic Animals

One deputy who witnessed the October slayings of dozens of exotic animals spoke Sunday about his worries surrounding the return of five surviving animals to Muskingum County.

Law enforcement officers had to kill dozens of animals when owner Terry Thompson released the animals before killing himself in October, 10TV’s Ashleigh Barry reported. Thompson’s widow, Marian Thompson, fought for months for the animal’s return. Two leopards, two primates and a bear were returned to the farm on Friday.

Muskingum County Sheriff's Deputy Jonathan Merry was on scene the day the animals were released. He said that he still had concerns for the welfare of the surviving animals.

"They were innocent. These animals were totally innocent," Merry said. "I never dreamed it could be at the magnitude that it was actually at that day."

Merry said that he was forced to kill nine of the animals, orders he said he never wants to get again.

"They went from unbelievable care at the Columbus Zoo, to conditions that I don't have knowledge of whether they're ample or not. I hope so for the animals' sake, but there's no way of knowing that," Merry said. "I don't think we will ever face what we faced that night, but my main concern is just how well the animals are taken care of."

Merry said the sheriff's office will keep a close eye on the Thompson farm.

"Just me personally, this is something I never wanted to do, and I never want to do again," Merry said.

Now that Marian Thompson has retrieved the animals, there is nothing in Ohio law that allows state officials to check on their welfare or require improvements to their current conditions, Barry reported.